• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

Background: Workers are exposed to several risks in academic laboratories due to the presence of potentially hazardous substances. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of accident occurrence and associated risk factors among laboratory workers at the scientific laboratories of the public university in Lebanon and the impact of safety measures training and availability. Methods: In this observational study, a survey was conducted for one year in scientific laboratories at faculties of the public university. Results: Among the participants (N = 220), 45.0% have had accidents; the main cause was exposure to chemicals (73.7%) and more specifically by inhalation (45.4%). Females (85.9%) were more exposed to accidents than males. Laboratory workers with a master's degree, a full-time schedule, and more than ten years of experience were significantly more exposed to accidents (p < 0.05). A significant association was found between accident occurrence and training on management of hazardous products (p = 0.044), risks related to workplace (p = 0.030), eyewash and emergency shower (p < 0.001), first aid (p = 0.012), and facial protection availability (p = 0.019). In spite of the lack of safety culture and efficient training on laboratory safety, participants have shown a very good perception regarding safety measures to be applied in case of work accidents. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the prevalence of accident occurrence is elevated among lab workers at the public university. The impact of regular training on laboratory safety preventive measures is of great importance to ensure the efficiency of occupational health and safety in scientific laboratories.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.122-126
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• 2016

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs in approximately 5% of patients with cancer. The most common cancers involving the leptomeninges are breast, lung cancer and melanoma. However, gastric adenocarcinoma has been rarely reported with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The presenting manifestations are usually headache, visual disturbances and seizures. We report a case of leptomeningeal metastasis that presented as a gastric cancer. A 75-year old man was transferred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment after being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma through endoscopic biopsy during a regular health examination. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed AGC, stage IA (cT1N0M0), while an endoscopic examination showed AGC, Borrmann type 2. The patient is currently under observation after undergoing radical subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenostomy and subsequent administration of oral chemotherapeutic agents. As an abdominal CT response assessment performed after surgery revealed new metastasis to the liver, the patient received palliative chemotherapy as recurrence was suspected. After receiving chemotherapy in the order of DP (Cisplatin + Docetaxel), FOLFIRI (5-FU + Leucovorin + Irinotecan), an abdominal CT response assessment showed complete response. Since decreased mentality maintained throughout the follow up period based on outpatient clinic, brain MRI was performed and revealed multiple leptomeningeal metastasis. The Patient died 2 days after the diagnosis.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.521-529
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• 2006

This study was carried out to classify all forest vegetation types in Ulleung Island, Korea using the methodology of the Z.-M. school's phytosociology, and map out the spatial distribution patterns of those vegetation types. The forest vegetation was classified into the mountain forest type (Acer okamotoanum community group) and maritime forest type (Artemisia scoparia community group). Vegetation units at the community level were divided into three categories; six communities, sixteen groups, and seven subgroups, giving a total of 22 communities. Total area for mapping was 5,544.9 ha, of which Fagus engleriana community accounted for 1,952 ha (35.2%), Hedera rhambea community ror 1,196 ha (21.6%), Camellia japonica community for 1,104 ha (19.9%), Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula community for 612 ha (11.0%), Aster spathulifolius community for 506 ha (9.1%), and Tsuga sieboldii - Pinus parviflora community for 174 ha (3.1%). According to canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), variables such as $Mg^{2+}$, pH, $Ca^{2+}$ were positively correlated in maritime vegetation types, and variables such as total nitrogen, carbon content, C/N ratio and ration exchange capacity (CEC) were highly correlated in mountain vegetation types, respectively. The sea level and the slope direction were not showing regular trend as a factor to decide on species diversity, evenness and richness in this research area. But it seems to be affected by topography, slope degree and dominance vegetation.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2005

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) had been widely used as a biomaterial without immune rejection responses. SIS sponges prepared by crosslinking with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). SIS powders dissolved in $3\%(v/v)$ acetic acid aqueous solution for 48hrs and freeze-dried. EDC solution ($H_2O$ : ethanol = 5 : 95) as a crosslink agent was used in concentration of 100mM. In vitro, rat-BMSCs seeded in SIS sponges and induced the osteogenesis for 28 days. We have characterized the osteogenic potential of rat-BMSCs in SIS sponges by alkaline phosphatase activity(ALP), n assay, SEM and RT-PCR for osteogenic phenotype. In SEM, all morphology of SIS sponges was regular and showed interconnected pore structure. By RT-PCR analysis, we observed type I collagen expression. These results demonstrate osteogenic differentiation of rat-BMSCs. In conclusion, we confirmed that the morphology of surface, cross-section, and side of SIS sponges were highly porous with good interconnections between each pores, which can support the surface of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. This result indicates that SIS sponge is useful for osteogenesis of BMSCs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 2017

This study investigated the manufacturing of fermented soybean oil using a fermenting strain commonly processed for soybeans [Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA), Bacillus subtilis (BS), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA), and B. subtilis+L. acidophilus (BLO)] and evaluated its anti-obesity activities. Cytotoxicity of four kinds of fermented soybean oils was not observed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at 10 and $50{\mu}g/mL$. Triglyceride content was reduced by 20.6% in the BLO group at a treatment concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. The simultaneous treatment of fermented soybean oil and differentiation induction medium decreased $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ gene expression at a concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$ and blocked adipocyte differentiation by increasing adiponectin gene expression. The inhibitory effect of adipocyte differentiation was greatest in the BLO group. C57BL/6J mice were examined for 4 weeks after being separated into seven groups [normal diet group (N), high fat diet group (C), group fed high fat diet combined with regular soybean oil (SO), group fed non-fermented soybean oil (NF), and groups fed high fat diet combined with 5% fermented soybean oil (BA, BS, LBA, and BLO)] to identify the effects of soybean oil on body weight, serum lipid, adiponectin, insulin, and leptin levels in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity. The body weight and serum lipid level of the C group increased drastically compared to those of the N group. In contrast, the group fed a diet combined with fermented soybean oil showed decreases in weight, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to those of the C group. Moreover, soybean oil was found to be effective in the BLO group. In conclusion, fermented soybean oil has positive effects in prohibiting adipocyte differentiation increased by high fat diet and improving serum lipid composition. Therefore, fermented soybean oil can be used as a functional food material with anti-obesity activity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.237-237
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• 2015

The district of Marlborough has had more than its share of river management projects over the past 150 years, each one uniquely affecting the geomorphology and flood hazard of the Wairau Plains. A major early project was to block the Opawa distributary channel at Conders Bend. The Opawa distributary channel took a third and more of Wairau River floodwaters and was a major increasing threat to Blenheim. The blocking of the Opawa required the Wairau and Lower Wairau rivers to carry greater flood flows more often. Consequently the Lower Wairau River was breaking out of its stopbanks approximately every seven years. The idea of diverting flood waters at Tuamarina by providing a direct diversion to the sea through the beach ridges was conceptualised back around the 1920s however, limits on resources and machinery meant the mission of excavating this diversion didn't become feasible until the 1960s. In 1964 a 10 m wide pilot channel was cut from the sea to Tuamarina with an initial capacity of $700m^3/s$. It was expected that floods would eventually scour this 'Wairau Diversion' to its design channel width of 150 m. This did take many more years than initially thought but after approximately 50 years with a little mechanical assistance the Wairau Diversion reached an adequate capacity. Using the power of the river to erode the channel out to its design width and depth was a brilliant idea that saved many thousands of dollars in construction costs and it is somewhat ironic that it is that very same concept that is now being used to deal with the aggradation problem that the Wairau Diversion has caused. The introduction of the Wairau Diversion did provide some flood relief to the lower reaches of the river but unfortunately as the Diversion channel was eroding and enlarging the Lower Wairau River was aggrading and reducing in capacity due to its inability to pass its sediment load with reduced flood flows. It is estimated that approximately $2,000,000m^3$ of sediment was deposited on the bed of the Lower Wairau River in the time between the Diversion's introduction in 1964 and 2010, raising the Lower Wairau's bed upwards of 1.5m in some locations. A numerical morphological model (MIKE-11 ST) was used to assess a number of options which led to the decision and resource consent to construct an erodible (fuse plug) bank at the head of the Wairau Diversion to divert more frequent scouring-flows ($+400m^3/s$)down the Lower Wairau River. Full control gates were ruled out on the grounds of expense. The initial construction of the erodible bank followed in late 2009 with the bank's level at the fuse location set to overtop and begin washing out at a combined Wairau flow of $1,400m^3/s$ which avoids berm flooding in the Lower Wairau. In the three years since the erodible bank was first constructed the Wairau River has sustained 14 events with recorded flows at Tuamarina above $1,000m^3/s$ and three of events in excess of $2,500m^3/s$. These freshes and floods have resulted in washout and rebuild of the erodible bank eight times with a combined rebuild expenditure of $80,000. Marlborough District Council's Rivers & Drainage Department maintains a regular monitoring program for the bed of the Lower Wairau River, which consists of recurrently surveying a series of standard cross sections and estimating the mean bed level (MBL) at each section as well as an overall MBL change over time. A survey was carried out just prior to the installation of the erodible bank and another survey was carried out earlier this year. The results from this latest survey show for the first time since construction of the Wairau Diversion the Lower Wairau River is enlarging. It is estimated that the entire bed of the Lower Wairau has eroded down by an overall average of 60 mm since the introduction of the erodible bank which equates to a total volume of $260,000m^3$. At a cost of $$0.30/m^3$ this represents excellent value compared to mechanical dredging which would likely be in excess of $$10/m^3$. This confirms that the idea of using the river to enlarge the channel is again working for the Wairau River system and that in time nature's "excavator" will provide a channel capacity that will continue to meet design requirements.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.550-559
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a 12 week aerobic resistance training circuit program on the health-related fitness, blood lipids, and cortisol in obese postmenopausal women. The subjects for the study were twenty obese postmenopausal women composed of the exercise group (n=10) and "no exercise" control group (n=10). The aerobic resistance training circuit program was conducted for 70 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks, in which the aerobic exercise consisted of 5 items each composed of 5 sets of aerobic exercise at 50-70% HRmax intensity for 1 minute for a total of 25 minutes and the resistance exercise consisted of 8 items conducted for a total of 25 minutes at 40-60% intensity of 1RM). In the exercise group, the body weight and BMI significantly decreased and the 20m shuttle run, sit-ups and sitting trunk flexion significantly increased. In the exercise group, the TC, LDL-C, and TG significantly decreased. Also, it was noted that the HDL-C was slightly higher in the exercise group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The cortisol levels of the exercise group and control group at baseline were similar. However, after the aerobic resistance training circuit program, the exercise group had a significantly higher cortisol level than the control group. Therefore, regular and continuous aerobic resistance training was effective in improving the body composition, blood lipids and health-related fitness.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.559-566
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• 2009

Effective nutrition educations for prevention of chronic diseases for the general population are of great importance these days. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of nutrition education for cardiovascular risk factor reduction by e-mail education in male workers. The participants were divided into three groups by age; 28-39 age group, 40-49 age group, and 50-59 age group who got regular checkups for anthropometry and biochemistry. The 1 year program consisted of 15 topics containing information about metabolic syndrome (MS) and healthy eating behavior (intake of salt, fat and alcohol). Seven hundred thirty nine participants volunteered for the study [28-39 age group, n = 240; body mass index (BMI) = 24.9 $\pm$ 2.7 kg/m$^2$: 40' group, n = 276; BMI = 24.8 $\pm$ 2.6 kg/m$^2$: 50' group, n = 223; BMI = 24.9 $\pm$ 2.7 kg/m$^2$]. Percentage body fat (p < 0.05) and percentage of abdominal fat (p < 0.05), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in all participants after the 1 year program. The total number of participants who had MS was decreased from 216 to 199 and especially the incidence of MS was decreased 27% in the group of subjects who were under the age 39. The e-mail worksite nutrition education program shows a substantial contribution to the development of effective CVD and chronic disease control and lifestyle nutrition educations that are applicable to and attractive for the large population at risk.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.574-579
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• 2010

Waste nutrient solution (WNS) that was the drained nutrient solution of Horticultural Research Institute of Japan for culture tomato in perlite hydroponics showed $1.9-2.4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ of EC and 5.7-7.1 pH from April to July. Although ${NH_4}^+-N$ concentration of WNS decreased remarkably, the other nutrients did not change significantly, as compared with supplied solution. There were no significant differences in plant height, stem diameter, and the other growth characteristics of tomato plants grown by 2 fertigation nutrient solutions; BHF (Bountiful Harvest Fertilizer, 10% of N, 13% of $PO_4$, 13% of K, 0.05% of B, 0.05% of Zn, and 0.0023% of Cu that made in Korea) and Megasol (11% of N, 8% of $PO_4$, 34% of K, 0.032% of Mn, 0.002% of B, 0.048% of Fe, 0.0122% of Zn, and 0.0023% of Cu that made in Belgium.); however, the chlorophyll content of tomato leaf was highest in WNS. The fresh and dry weight of tomato plants were higher in 3 fertigation treatments than irrigation of tap water, while there were no significant differences in fresh and dry weight among the 3 fertigation treatments. The mineral content of tomato leaf also did not show any differences among the 3 fertigation treatments and any regular tendency in all minerals. Total yield, fruit weight and fruit numbers of tomato were higher in WNS, followed by Megasol, BHF and control, although there were not any difference among the 3 fertigation nutrient solution treatments. BER(blossom-end rot)of tomato fruits decreased in fertigation treatments, especially, fruits grown in WNS and BHF showed lower BER. However, the transpiration rate of leaf was higher in control, followed by BHF, WNS and Megasol, The fruit size and soluble solids content was higher in 3 fertigation nutrient treatments than control. These results suggest that WNS can be used for fertigation solution in tomato because yield and quality of tomato fruit grown in WNS fertigation treatment were similar to those in 2 fertigation nutrient solutions treatments(BHF, Megasol).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2016

In clinical computed tomography (CT), regular quality assurance (QA) has been required. This study is to evaluate the MTF for analyzing the spatial resolution using AAPM phantom in CT exam. The dual source somatom definition flash (siemens healthcare, forchheim, Germany), the brilliance 64 (philips medical system Netherlands) and aquilion 64 (toshiba medical system, Japan) were used in this study. The quantitative evaluation was performed using the image J (wayne rasband national institutes of health, USA) and chart method which is measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF). In MTF evaluation, the spatial frequencies corresponding to the 50% MTF for the CT systems were 0.58, 0.28, and $0.59mm^{-1}$, respectively and the 10% MTF for the CT systems were 1.63, 0.89, and $1.21mm^{-1}$, respectively. This study could evaluate the characteristic of spatial resolution of MTF using chart method, suggesting the quantitative evaluation method using the data.